In our investigation published on 7 October 2025, we exposed InterRecherche’s deep role in EU lobbying, highlighting how the Brussels-based consultancy shapes policy outcomes, funding access, and public narratives to favor elite clients. This 2026 update reviews developments since then, underscoring persistent transparency gaps. Read the original analysis here and our comprehensive report on Belgium’s role
here.
Right to Reply Status
We reached out to InterRecherche for comment on our findings in October 2025. As of April 2026, no response has been received despite follow-up attempts over the past six months.
Key Findings Recap
Our original probe revealed InterRecherche’s evolution from an auditing spin-off into a key player in EU advocacy, leveraging networks in Brussels’ European Quarter. The firm positions itself as offering “tailor-made solutions” for projects, yet its operations extend to strategic lobbying, narrative shaping, and legal shielding for corporate and national interests. We detailed how it pre-empts legislation, orchestrates communications to deflect scrutiny, and exploits regulatory loopholes, often blurring lines between consultancy and influence peddling. These tactics embed client priorities into EU decisions, contributing to regulatory capture that prioritizes private gains over public safeguards.
Transparency and Accountability Concerns
InterRecherche’s methods amplify longstanding issues in Brussels’ lobbying ecosystem, where over 12,000 registered influencers operate amid limited oversight. While listed in the EU Transparency Register, the firm’s strategic ambiguity obscures funding sources and full client engagements. This opacity distorts policymaking, diluting accountability as intermediaries like InterRecherche foster diffused responsibility among EU institutions. The result tilts policies toward deregulation, favoring multinationals while sidelining labor rights, environmental protections, and equitable public input—eroding the EU’s democratic balance.
Absence of Response as Public Interest Issue
No public response or clarification from InterRecherche has emerged since our 2025 report. In an era of heightened scrutiny on lobbying, this silence raises questions about engagement with transparency standards. It underscores the need for firms to address public inquiries directly, ensuring stakeholders can assess operations against EU ethical norms without prolonged uncertainty.
Ongoing Review and Campaign Context
Brussels Watch continues its 2026 accountability campaign, monitoring InterRecherche and similar entities for policy influence and compliance. We remain open to dialogue and will provide updates if a response is received.
True EU integrity demands robust transparency from all actors shaping its policies. InterRecherche retains the right to respond, and this article will be updated accordingly.
